Ideas

Thornberry’s Pentagon-Reform Plan to Nowhere

It's pitched as a way to cut waste — but would make the misallocation of our tax dollars more likely.

Ideas

North Korea Is Not De-Nuclearizing

The Trump administration shouldn’t get too excited about Kim Jong Un’s pledge to limit his weapons program.

Threats

US Air Force to Put Sensors on Allies’ Satellites

The move is intended to deter Russia or China from shooting down spacecraft — and provide backups if they do.

Defense Systems

Figuring the ROI for proposed 'fourth estate' reforms

Eliminating supporting defense agencies may not save enough money to hit cost-cutting targets, experts say.

Ideas

The White House Is Relaxing Drone Exports. Here's a Good Next Step

A 31-year-old arms-control pact governs UAVs as if they were cruise missiles. Our national leadership in the field depends on fixing that.

Defense Systems

Trump revises rules for export of military drones

The Trump administration is looking to make it easier for allies to buy military-grade drones from U.S. firms.

Defense Systems

Navy awards contract for unmanned sea mine hunter

Raytheon takes a potential $362.7 million contract to develop an autonomous unmanned underwater vehicle for the Navy to use in the detection and mitigation of sea mines.

Threats

The US Navy Wants a Better Way to Keep China’s Nose Out of Its Contracts

A subcontract with a Huawei partner has the secretary looking for an ‘institutional algorithm’ for spotting dicey partnerships.

Science & Tech

The Pentagon Is Building an AI Product Factory

Job One for the new Joint Artificial Intelligence Center will be delivering solutions for services’ specific problems.

Ideas

The Pursuit of AI Is More Than an Arms Race

Dealing wisely with the challenges of artificial intelligence requires reframing the current debates.

Ideas

Pompeo’s Secret Korea Trip May Not Save His Nomination, But It Could Save Trump’s Summit

The president needs a "win" somewhere so badly that at the summit he may accept a nuclear freeze and a determined process as a major victory. That is a good thing.

Ideas

What Austria Can Teach the US About Civil-Military Relations

I was raised in a culture in which soldiering is seen as just another dangerous profession.

Defense Systems

Thornberry puts DISA on the chopping block

House Armed Services Committee chairman's reform bill calls for a 25 percent cut in back-office spending and the elimination of seven supporting agencies.

Business

US Air Force Is Moving Faster on Space Contracts, Industry Execs Say

The service has new purchasing authorities, a planned new structure for its satellite-buying arm — and a new attitude, company leaders say.